01/2010 MAGAZINE FILIPPI CLINCHES MAIDEN WIN

 RACE REPORT - BRNO DOUBLE PODIUM FOR PISCOPO NEXT STOP, IMOLA  RACE REPORT - BRNO FILIPPI AND ARABADZHIEV SHARE WINS IN BRNO

Arabadzhiev leads the group at the start of Race 2

 Round 01 despite starting from P10, thanks to a performance and a final charge that Auto GP’s maiden race saw Luca good start and a great race pace. saw him clinch the second fastest lap Filippi clinch a dominant win, passing “We knew that a clear track was the of the race. The best lap was posted from 5th to first position thanks to a only way to take the best from a new by Filippi: thanks to that extra point, superb drive and to a perfect pit set of tires”, said Filippi, “and we the Italian driver is now leading the strategy by his team, Euronova Racing. decided to pit very early. It worked and championship, tied with Piscopo. At the start was on pole, I really have to thank the team for In a quite uneventful race, three drivers but the kiwi driver stalled his car and making the right choice”. were halted by a mix of mistakes and the whole group had to avoid him. bad luck: , who was third took the lead in front of  Round 02 in the first laps, had to serve a drive- and Adrian Zaugg, Vladimir Arabadzhiev was the second through penalty for jumping the start who was immediately passed by Filippi winner of the inaugural Auto GP event. while Onidi had to retire when his car for P3. Another 30 seconds in the race Adrian Zaugg was on pole for race 2, stopped on track with no fuel; a and the Safety-Car came in for a but the Bulgarian driver managed a problem with the refueling machine contact between Giorgio Iaconelli and better start and entered the first corner used before the race was the cause. that forced both in the lead, keeping P1 until the Bad luck also for Tambay, who lost 3rd drivers out of the race. At the restart, checkered flag. Zaugg tried to put place due to a broken suspension with Filippi was the first driver to pit, and pressure on him lap after lap, but this just two laps to go. then took full advantage of his new wasn’t enough and the “Frankly, I was not sure about my tires and a clear track to build a driver closed the race in second chances” said Arabadzhiev “because I wonderful comeback. Onidi kept a position, ahead of Piscopo. Edoardo’s was racing on old tires. Anyway, I did a good pace with no mistakes, but with 3rd place meant two podiums in a row great start, and from then on things no new rubber to use he had to settle for him, the championship lead and a were easy. Adrian was gaining time in for third place, behind a nearly perfect wonderful 1-3 result for DAMS. Julian the fast section, but I was able to build Piscopo. was 4th overall Leal was 4th after a very consistent up the gap in the other sectors”.

2 WHO’S THE LEADER

ROUND 01 1. (Euronova Racing) 17 laps in 32’28"658 2. Edoardo Piscopo (Dams) + 5”896 3. Fabio Onidi (Lazarus) + 9”236 4. Jan Charouz (Charouz-Gravity Racing) +14”524 5. Duncan Tappy (Dams) +16”056 6. (Charouz-Gravity Racing) +25”073 7. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (Dams) +25”426 8. Adrian Zaugg (Trident Racing) +29”133 ROUND 02 1. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (Dams) 13 laps in 22'58”445 2. Adrian Zaugg (Trident Racing) +0”486 3. Edoardo Piscopo (Dams) + 2”304 4. Julian Leal (Trident Racing) +4”365 5. Walter Grubmüller (Charouz-Gravity Racing) +5”859 6. Jan Charouz (Charouz-Gravity Racing) +8”101

DRIVERS CLASSIFICATION All Italian 1. Luca Filippi, 12 points podium for 2. Edoardo Piscopo, 12 points Race 1 3. Vladimir Arabadzhiev, 8 points 4. Fabio Onidi, 6 points 5. Adrian Zaugg, 6 points 6. Jan Charouz, 6 points 7. Duncan Tappy, 4 points 8. Julian Leal, 3 points 9. Adrien Tambay, 3 points 10. Walter Grubmüller, 2 points 11. Jonny Reid, 1 point

An happy Sospiri hails Filippi’s win TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN!

One of the reasons for the huge Auto GP success is the prize money. The series puts 200.000 euros up for grabs at each race weekend, to be shared between the 6 best drivers of the weekend. So, let’s see who took the money: Filippi and Piscopo are sharing the top spot so they will also share the prize for 1st and 2nd place, taking home 65.000 euros each. Arabadzhiev, lone third, won 30.000 euros, while three drivers are sharing the last part of the prize. Zaugg, Onidi and Charouz are tied on points for the remaining 40k, so each one of them will get 13.333 euros. But there’s one condition: to collect the money the drivers have to contest at least 4 of the six series events.

3  RACE REPORT - BRNO

THE RECORD BREAKER

If anybody still had any doubts about modification and updates designed rear wings and a new engine hood the Auto GP performance, the by Coloni Motorsport. Nearly every fin that is very similar to the ones Brno weekend made clear what the part of the car was interested by seen on the 2010 F.1 cars. Zytek powered Lola is capable of. some changes, but three main areas Besides this, Auto GP agreed with Auto GP came home from Brno underwent major modifications. For Zytek to increase the power output of holding the new official track record, the tires, the series organization the 3.4 litres engine from 520 to 550 thanks to the 1’43”260 posted by decided to change manufacturer, bhp, a figure achieved without any Luca Filippi in race 2. The previous choosing Michelin as official supplier, worries for the unit’s reliability, still record, held by A1 GP (Alex Yoong changing also the tires dimension. optimal. It was an hard task, but posted a 1’47”396 with Team Compared to A1 GP, the Auto GP judging on the pace of the cars in Malaysia in 2006) was beaten by 4 tires are wider at the front and Brno, it was worth an impressive full seconds. If this is a remarkable narrower on the rear, something that 7 tenths per km improvement, achievement itself, what makes it turned the balance of the car from leaving A1 GP 4” adrift and Formula even bigger is that the chassis is understeering to slightly 2 far behind. Looking at the F2 2009 basically the same: Auto GP uses the oversteering. To suit the new balance timesheets the best lap of the series same Lola B05/52 monocoque that and increase overall downforce also in the Brno races was Robert A1 GP was using in 2006, but the car aerodynamics were tweaked, Wickens’ 1’49”747, meaning was made quicker thanks to with brand new front and a 6”5 gap!

4 jWHAT THEY SAID Jonny Reid “I'm really happy of the car. Auto GP did what A1 GP should have done when it was racing this car. Now there's more power, more grip both from the tires and the aero, it's a real racecar". Edoardo Piscopo “Passing from F2 to Auto GP gave the same feeling I had when, after the 2008 Italian F3 season, I tested the Fer- rari F.1 car. You simply can’t compare them, because they are on diffe- rent levels. Everything in the Auto GP is impressive, and the downforce is mas- sive: taking the first Brno corner in fifth gear with the engine screaming in the back was a real joy”. Celso Miguez Charouz at full speed “Compared to the Wsr by on Brno’s main straight Renault, which was most powerful car I had ever dri- ven until 2009, on the Auto GP Lola you can clearly feel that you have 100 bhp more. Furthermore, the downforce is very good even if the car isn’t using ground effect”.

5  RACE REPORT - BRNO

DAMS, EURONOVA AND CHAROUZ ON TOP

From a team’s point of view, Brno was undoubtedly a dream weekend for DAMS. The French outfit managed to place one of its cars in the top three in every session, and when it came to racing the team collected one win, with Arabadzhiev, and two podium finishes with Piscopo. This means an already clear lead in the teams standings, in front of Euronova. The Italian team deployed a faultless performance, Giorgio collecting 12 points with just one Pantano car thanks to Filippi clinching the feature race win and the two fastest laps. Third position is for Charouz- Gravity racing: the home race was Walter Grubmüller very important to the Czech team and the weekend outcome is very positive, with two drivers in the points in each race. In race 1 Jan Charouz was 4th and Adrien Tambay 6th, while in the shortest run Walter Grubmüller was fifth in front of Charouz

6 TEAM STANDINGS

1. DAMS, 22 points 2. Euronova Racing, 12 points 3. Charouz-Gravity Racing, 11 points 4. Trident Racing, 9 points 5. , 6 points 6. Super Nova, 1 point THE LONGEST JOURNEY

On Sunday evening in Brno Jonny Reid was really disappointed, and there was a good reason for that. The New Zealander had been dominant from the start of the free testing to qualifying, and was the only driver of the field to go below the 1’43” mark, posting a 1’42”780 in Free Practice. He lined up in pole position for the feature race, but then he stalled his car, and in a moment his event was ruined. Maybe Jonny had used all his luck for that weekend to solve another matter: he managed to fly from New Zealand to Duncan Tappy Europe despite the air traffic halt caused brought valuable by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The journey points to DAMS took three and a half days, including a one day stop in Dubai to catch the last available seat on a flight to Zurich, and then a reckless drive from Switzerland to Brno chasing Porsches on the German autobahns… in a rented Ford Focus!

in Auto GP, World GT1 and Le Mans 24 In Brno Auto GP was missing one of his Hours, the swiss driver is pushing as much HOLD drivers. Being injured after a massive crash as she can for a quick recovery, but the in the Fia Gt1 World Championship opener official word announcing the comeback to in Abu Dhabi, Natacha Gachnang was racing is still missing. In Brno, the ON forced to miss the Czech event and was championship stars decided to show her replaced by Tomas Kostka on the #4 car. their support in the best possible way, a Having suffered a double compund fracture photograph and a banner to wish NATACHA! of the right leg, Gachnang was operated to Gachnang a speedy comeback. Hold on reduce the fracture, and is now recovering Natacha, and get well soon! from the injury. With planned commitments 7 

Greetingsfrom Brno

Tappy enjoys pasta

Patrick Tambay and Enzo Coloni

Iaconelli replaced the injured De Pasquale at

8 NEXT STOP: IMOLA

Next weekend will see Auto GP circuit’s soul: mythical bends like contest the second event of the “Tosa”, “Acque Minerali” and season on the Italian circuit of Imola. “Rivazza” are unchanged and Built in 1953, the track named after thrilling as ever, and with the last Enzo and his son Dino is one chicane moved, now the drivers will of the most challenging circuits in have nearly one km of full throttle the world: with very fast sections, before the Tamburello braking zone, uphills and downhills, the circuit is so expect some very high speeds! often referred to as “The little Besides this, also the paddock area Nürburgring”, and has always been and buildings were refreshed and one of the drivers’ favourites. In the enlarged, making Imola ready to last years it underwent some host the best series in motorsport modifications to increase safety, on two and four wheels, including including some layout changes and the World Touring Car Bizzarri fights with Pantano and Tambay the enlargement of the runoff areas. Championship and the World Anyway, this didn’t change the Superbikes.

TAMBAY’S HERITAGE

In Imola, Patrick Tambay clinched in 1983 one of his two Grand Prix wins with Ferrari. Next weekend, his De Pasquale son Adrien will try to do the same in Auto GP; the track is changed a bit since then, but Patrick will surely have some tricks to teach him! CIRCUITO ENZO E DINO FERRARI Race 1 (IMOLA) podium PANTANO’S for Onidi Lap distance: 4.909 km QUICK HINT Right turns: 9 “The key points to Imola are Left turns: 13 the the ‘Acque Minerali’ and Max slope downhill: 9.1% ‘Variante Alta’ chicanes. Max slope uphill: 9.4% Jumping on the kerbs in the right way you can make a Location: 33 km south of Bologna huge difference”. Official website: www.autodromoimola.com

9 

1 5 DUNCAN TAPPY WALTER GRUBMÜLLER TEAM: DAMS TEAM: CHAROUZ - GRAVITY RACING BIRTHDATE: 26-06-1984 BIRTHDATE: 13-1-1989 COUNTRY: GREAT BRITAIN COUNTRY: AUSTRIA OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.duncantappy.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.wg-racing.com

2 6 JAN CHAROUZ TEAM: DAMS TEAM: CHAROUZ-GRAVITY RACING BIRTHDATE: 17-12-1987 BIRTHDATE: 17-07-1987 COUNTRY: ITALY COUNTRY: CZECH REPUBLIC OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.fabriziocrestani.it OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.jan-charouz.cz

3 7 EDOARDO PISCOPO ADRIEN TAMBAY TEAM: DAMS TEAM: CHAROUZ-GRAVITY RACING BIRTHDATE: 04-02-1988 BIRTHDATE: 25-02-1991 COUNTRY: ITALY COUNTRY: FRANCE OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.edoardopiscopo.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.tambay27.com

4 8 JONNY REID TEAM: CHAROUZ - GRAVITY RACING TEAM: SUPER NOVA RACING BIRTHDATE: 06-04-1989 BIRTHDATE: 18-10-1983 COUNTRY: COUNTRY: NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.stefanocoletti.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.jonnyreid.com MEET OUR DRIVERS 10 9 14 GIORGIO PANTANO STEFANO BIZZARRI TEAM: SUPER NOVA RACING TEAM: RP MOTORSPORT BIRTHDATE: 04-02-1979 BIRTHDATE: 30-03-1990 COUNTRY: ITALY COUNTRY: ITALY OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.giorgiopantano.it OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.stefanobizzarri.net

10 15 OMAR JULIAN LEAL FABIO ONIDI TEAM: TRIDENT RACING TEAM: LAZARUS BIRTHDATE: 11-05-1990 BIRTHDATE: 09-03-1988 COUNTRY: COLOMBIA COUNTRY: ITALY OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.omarjulianleal.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.fabioonidi.com

11 19 LUCA FILIPPI TEAM: TRIDENT RACING TEAM: EURONOVA RACING BIRTHDATE: 27-08-1988 BIRTHDATE: 09-08-1985 COUNTRY: ITALY COUNTRY: ITALY OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.federicoleo.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.lucafilippi.com

12 21 CELSO MIGUEZ CARLOS IACONELLI TEAM: RP MOTORSPORT TEAM: DURANGO BIRTHDATE: 1-05-1983 BIRTHDATE: 26-06-1987 COUNTRY: SPAIN COUNTRY: BRAZIL OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.celsomiguez.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.iaconelli.com.br

11  THE 2010 TEAMS

DAMS COUNTRY: FRANCE TEAM OWNER: JEAN-PAUL DRIOT TEAM MANAGER: LOIC DAVID http://www.dams.fr/

CHAROUZ-GRAVITY RACING COUNTRY: CZECH REPUBLIC TEAM OWNER: ANTONIN CHAROUZ TEAM MANAGER: ROBERT VAVRIK http://racing.charouz.cz/EN/chrs_en.html

SUPER NOVA RACING COUNTRY: GREAT BRITAIN TEAM OWNER: DAVID SEARS TEAM MANAGER: JOHN SEARS http://www.supernova-racing.com TRIDENT RACING COUNTRY: ITALY TEAM OWNER: MAURIZIO SALVADORI TEAM MANAGER: LUCA ZERBINI http://www.tridentracing.it/

RP MOTORSPORT COUNTRY: ITALY TEAM OWNER: FABIO PAMPADO TEAM MANAGER: FABIO PAMPADO http://www.rpmotorsport.it/it/

LAZARUS COUNTRY: ITALY TEAM OWNER: TANCREDI PAGIARO TEAM MANAGER: ALESSANDRO BALDO http://www.teamlazarus.it/ EURONOVA COUNTRY: ITALY TEAM OWNER: TEAM MANAGER: VINCENZO SOSPIRI http://www.euronova-racing.com/

DURANGO COUNTRY: ITALY TEAM OWNER: IVONE PINTON/ENRICO MAGRO TEAM MANAGER: IVONE PINTON http://www.durango.it/

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